MBARÉ — A severe bedbug infestation has taken hold in Harare’s Mbare suburb, particularly in the densely populated Matererini and Matapi Flats, where residents have raised alarm over the worsening crisis.
Locally referred to as “tsikidzi” or “insikizi”, the blood-sucking insects have triggered urgent fumigation efforts by the City of Harare’s Pest Control Section, which has now classified Mbare as a priority zone in its pest management programme.
Mayor Jacob Mafume confirmed the rollout of the city’s pest control operations, emphasising that the situation requires swift and sustained action to prevent the bugs from spreading across the capital.
Health authorities warn that the outbreak isn’t confined to Mbare. The insects are highly mobile, hitchhiking from place to place via clothing, bedding, and luggage.
Once inside a home, they’re notoriously difficult to eliminate due to growing resistance to standard insecticides. Most active between midnight and dawn, bedbugs detect their victims through body heat and carbon dioxide, delivering clusters of itchy bites before disappearing into cracks and hidden crevices.
Mbare’s struggle is part of a larger, global resurgence of bedbug populations. Specialists attribute this comeback to increased urban migration, international travel, and inbreeding among bedbugs, which has produced highly chemical-resistant strains.
For example, between 2017 and 2022, over 1 in 10 French households reported bedbug infestations, prompting widespread concern in the lead-up to the 2024 Paris Olympics. Similar reports have emerged from cities across Asia, Europe, and North America, challenging the outdated belief that infestations are limited to poorer areas.
In Mbare, however, the impact is especially harsh. Overcrowding, poverty, and the steep cost of professional fumigation make it hard for families to tackle the problem effectively.
Cramped living spaces offer ideal conditions for the pests to thrive and spread. Beyond physical discomfort, the psychological effects are mounting with increasing reports of stress, insomnia, and even depression among affected residents.
Officials are calling for increased awareness and early action. Warning signs include reddish stains on bedding and the presence of live bugs.
Although fumigation is a primary line of defence, its effectiveness is being eroded by the bugs’ evolving resistance. Without innovative and accessible pest control methods, experts fear that urban centres like Harare may continue to suffer from recurring outbreaks.
